2019 Rugby World Cup

2019 has already been a memorable
year for sport and this is set to continue as the Rugby World Cup kick starts
later this month. The event is being held between September 20th and
the 2nd of November, as the World’s best sides look to pick up the
coveted trophy. This will be the ninth edition of the tournament and the first
to be held in Asia, as Japan host the event. The opening match will be taking
place inside the Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, Tokya. Japan are expected to
provide a stunning spectacle as hosts, with fans travelling over in their
numbers from around the globe.

Pool A sees Ireland take on Scotland,
hosts Japan, Russia and finally Samoa. Ireland start as the strong favourites
to top the group, with Scotland also expected to join them in progressing
through. Both have been very well supported by punters using the casino
spins offers that are available on the event. Ireland sit amongst the
pre-tournament favourites, as they look to progress further than the quarter-finals,
which is their best finish to date. Ireland sit second in the Rugby World
rankings, with Scotland seventh.

Pool B includes New Zealand, as they look to defend
their title and have been drawn against South
Africa, Italy, Namibia and Canada. New Zealand are the short priced
favourites to go on and lift the title, so it would be a major shock were they
to fail to progress through. They are also three time winners of the
competition, including the last two in both 2011 and 2015. New Zealand have long
been the top ranked side in World Rugby but are possibly not as much of the
force of old. South Africa sit fifth in the rankings and will be strong
favourites to join New Zealand in progressing through Pool B, as both sides
look a class above the other sides. South Africa are also two time winners of
the competition, with their victories coming in 1995 and 2007.

England start as strong favourites to top Pool C and have been
drawn against France, Argentina,
United States and Tonga. England
are the third ranked side in the world and are looking to win the World Cup
for the second time, following their victory back in 2003. France and Argentina
are then likely to be battling it out for the runner-up spot, with France the
slight favourites as the eighth best side in the world based on rankings.

Pool D sees Wales take on Australia,
Fiji, Georgia and Uruguay. Wales had been the top ranked side in the world
earlier this season and will be hopeful they can be a major threat in Japan.
They are the slight favourites to top Pool D over Australia, with both sides
appearing to be far superior than the others in the group. Wales best finish in
the tournament was a third placed finish back in 1987. Australia on the other
hand, are two time winners of the World Cup, with their victories coming in
1991 and 1999. They are the sixth ranked side in the world and will start amongst
the favourites to win the competition.